Original and Traditional instrumentals and vocals always with a deep respect for the traditional music of the Appalachians, our shows are like a mini Bluegrass variety show featuring each member of the band in several related styles of selections including fiddle tunes, bluegrass banjo tunes, clawhammer banjo tunes, guitar tunes, and vocals, all presented with friendly and entertaining commentary. We want the crowd to feel like they are talking with old friends after our show.Bobby Burns was born into a musical family. He plays many instruments, but in the band plays mostly the mandolin and sometimes the fiddle or guitar on selected tunes. Bobby has played in professional bands since his teenage years. He is a full-time luthier and repairman. Before the “Lone Mountain Bandâ€, Bobby played with the Chicago based “Special Consensusâ€, and was featured on their album “Strong Enough to Bendâ€. Bobby sings lead and harmony vocals and does most of the MC work for the band.Diana Phillips was trained as a classical pianist. While in college in Virginia she was exposed to Bluegrass music and fell in love with it. After school she moved back to Chattanooga where she teamed up with former classmate Bobby Burns. Diana was also in the “Special Consensusâ€. In this band she and Bobby traveled the world playing music and honing their skills. In addition to her skills on the bass fiddle, Diana is a mighty fine singer and songwriter, and several of her songs have been featured on “Lone Mountain Band†cds and recordings by other artists.Roy Curry was born in Warren, Ohio. He has been playing guitar since the age of eleven. Roy has built a national reputation as one of the finest flat-pickers around. He has entered every major contest for the guitar and wins way more than he loses. He is one of only a handful of people to ever win the “National Flat-pick Guitar Contest†In Winfield, Kansas more than once. Unlike most contest winners, Roy is equally good at playing in a band. His tasteful support is a big part of our band sound. Roy played with country stars “The Forester Sisters†from 1984-1987, playing on such respected stages as The Grand Ole Opry and the Kennedy Center. Roy also sings harmony parts with “The Lone Mountain Bandâ€. His cd “Flattop Specialist†has received favorable reviews from several guitar magazines.Jim Pankey, from Chatsworth, Georgia, is the banjo player in this group. Jim has won many banjo contests. He writes for the “ Banjo Newsletterâ€. Jim is a master of many banjo styles. He is an excellent Scruggs style player, but he often makes use of more contemporary styles as well. Jim is a Georgia State Champion on the clawhammer banjo and a Tennessee State Champion on bluegrass banjo. He also plays the fretless minstrel banjo. Jim is on the American Yo-Yo Association’s Board of Directors. Both his clawhammer playing and his skill with a Yo-Yo are featured parts of all “Lone Mountain Band†shows.
